Housing
Governor Ige has created thousands of affordable homes, including rentals to address the needs of those entering the workforce.Committed to renovating the state’s housing facilities and on-track to build 10,000 units by 2020. Approximately 5,300 units have been built since Governor Ige took office, with 40% of those being affordable. Another 5,900 units are under construction or in the planning stages.Engaged in a public-private partnership with Duane Kurisu, aio Foundation and the City & County of Honolulu to develop Kahauiki Village, developing long-term and permanent affordable housing for homeless families.Working with a community vision team, has completed the Kalihi 21st Century Transformation Initiative, fulfilling a promise to “revitalize Kalihi.”Allocated rental assistance funds for tenants at Na Lei Hulu Kupuna Senior Residence in Kaka‘ako and ensuring the project will remain affordable for the next 60 years.Governor Ige and the State Legislature have added $150 million to the state’s affordable housing accounts managed by Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation to produce affordable workforce housing.Has identified state lands near rail transit stations for future housing, employment centers, daycare, senior centers, and community facilities that will provide a sense of community and ease of accessibility.Helped institute a ‘Housing First’ policy to focus on moving homeless into transitional and permanent housing.Completed the Family Assessment Center in Kaka‘ako, with the goal to move homeless families into permanent, stable housing in 90 days.Hosted ‘Landlord Summits’ to encourage and increase the number of rentals to families who are transitioning out of homelessness.

Economy
Governor Ige has kept his promise by promoting economic diversification and policies that support growth.Has maintained Hawai‘i’s global position as a leader in the tourism arena, providing jobs and a stable and growing economy.Reduced future costs of state pension and health care benefits by making annual required contributions at the beginning of the fiscal year, and allowing investment of these payments for a higher return to the trust fund.Achieved a AA+ bond rating creating lower interest rates on state loans for important projects such as construction of new public schools and renovation of aging public facilities.Started construction on an airport modernization plan that includes improvements to the Maui, Molokai, and the new $1.1 billion Diamond Head Concourse at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for passenger, airline and business expansion.Upgrading Honolulu Harbor with the construction of Kapalama Container Terminal, one of the most significant infrastructure projects invested by the state, ensuring efficient delivery of goods to residents on every island and providing stable waterfront and related employment opportunities.Responsible fiscal practices resulted in Moodyʻs Analytics naming Hawai‘i as one of only 16 states nationwide with enough cash reserves to weather the ʻstress testʻ of another economic recession.Started construction on the Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility at Kahului Airport – the largest public works project in Mauiʻs history.Helps new start-ups to develop innovation and initiatives that advances opportunities in research, technology and creative media to assist Hawai‘i’s goal of sustaining our economy and create better-paying jobs to encourage our younger generation and residents to remain in Hawai‘i.Welcomed more air carriers to Hawai‘i including Jin Air, Scoot Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Expanded routes from the U.S. mainland and Asia.Installed 32 automated passport control kiosks at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to provide a more efficient and pleasant international arrival experience.Working to expand the U.S. Customs Pre-clearance Program to Narita International Airport (Japan) and Incheon International Airport (Korea).Strongly supported the Hawaiian Telcom public-private partnership that laid transpacific undersea cable, giving a significant boost to internet speeds throughout the islands.Supports the U.S. Military, crucial pillars of Hawai‘i’s economy, who provides more than 100,000 jobs and contributes over $12 billion to our economy.Created the entrepreneurial Sandbox in Kaka‘ako, bringing start-ups together in a shared high-tech-think-tank environment.Supports the Thirty Meter Telescope project for science advancement and future job creation while respecting concerns from Native Hawaiians.Delivered free WI-FI at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, allowing visitors to access the internet and enhancing passenger service.

Education
Investing in Hawai‘i's most important resource, its people, to build a thriving innovation economy.Improved schools by changing the top-down, "one size fits all," decision-making culture at the Department of Education.Empowered schools, faculty, and staff to integrate improved curriculum to enhance student engagement, and provide complete and meaningful direction for career options and future leadership.Expanded the Early College program, so all Hawai‘i public high school students can take courses to earn dual-credits (high school and college credits).Fought to increase teachers’ pay and negotiate a contract they deserve.Exceeded his promise to cool 1,000 classrooms, expected to exceed 1,300 classrooms statewide.Worked alongside more than 3,000 educators and community members statewide to complete the new Blueprint for Education, improving the quality of instruction and retaining more qualified teachers.Expanding campuses and offering a wider curriculum at UH West O‘ahu and Pālamanui in Kona, Hawaii.Is the first Hawai‘i Governor to create “Hawai‘i’s Promise” with the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges, which eliminates the cost of college as a barrier to higher education. Hawai‘i's Promise provides financial assistance for low-income community college students to pay for tuition, books, supplies and transportation costs.Called out Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to keep sexual assault protections on college campuses in place after she threatened rollbacks to these policies.Works to ensure all students can learn within a healthy and safe environment.Supported the development of the new STEM Education Building at Waimea Middle School, offering a new educational approach that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.Recognized for bringing the CyberStart pilot program to students for job training while preparing for cyber security statewide advancement.

Historic Firsts
Governor Ige has accomplished many historic firsts that have moved Hawai‘i forward.Advanced a state policy that by the year 2045, 100% of the electricity generated in Hawai‘i should come from renewable energy resources.Approved a state law that enabled Hawai‘i to join the rest of the world and agree to abide by the Paris Climate Agreement.Received a AA+ bond rating for the state which means lower interest rates and more tax dollars to fund projects.Approved state funding for Kupuna Care, aiding full-time family caregivers who also have full-time jobs to tap into community resources. AARP Hawai‘i called it a “major win.”Sponsored environmental scientists and conservation advocates at the World Conservation Congress - International Union for Conservation of Nature.Protect Hawai‘i residents from gun violence by requiring more rigorous FBI gun owner background checks to keep guns out of the hands of stalkers, harassers and the serious mentally ill.Advocated raising the smoking age to 21 to deter children and young adults from a deadly habit.

Accountable Government
Restored the public’s faith and trust by ending the Pay to Play and the power of special interest groups with lucrative contracts which favored only a chosen few.Ordered a complete investigation of Hawaii Emergency Management Agencyʻs policies and practices; released an All Hazards Preparedness Improvement Action Plan recommending immediate and strategic improvements to address all major natural and man-made hazards efficiently and effectively.Has led our state with efficient and transparent government procedures, accountability, and common sense.Has reduced waste and fraud and allows more Hawai‘i businesses an opportunity to compete for work.Saved the state more than $268 million by demanding more oversight of government contracts and going after tax cheats.Tackling long-overdue tax, payroll, workers compensation and other paper-related projects through a modernization plan.

Environment
Governor Ige has kept his promise to protect and conserve our environment.Established the Sustainable Hawai‘i Intiative which sets concrete and measurable goals through sound resource management.Fostered cultural and environmental stewardship from the mountains to the sea and has successfully protected nearly 40,000 acres of watershed forests on Kaua’i, O’ahu, Moloka’i and Hawai’i islands.Developed plans to effectively manage 30% of nearshore ocean waters and watershed protection to sustain our way of life by 2030.Oversaw the final negotiation to purchase a conservation easement to protect and preserve Turtle Bay Mauka from future development and secured public access.Protected and more efficiently used our fresh water supply through conservation and reuse for agriculture, urban and coastal areas.Sponsored the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress bringing thousands of environmental leaders and decision-makers, government, indigenous peoples, business, and academia together to advance the goals of conserving the environment, developing solutions and addressing global challenges.Improving state parks for public use and enjoyment.Is developing a stronger interagency biosecurity policy and infrastructure plan to protect Hawai‘i against invasive species by 2027.

Energy
Governor Ige’s vision and energy policies will reduce our energy costs, transform our economy, and lead the nation and the world.Advanced as a state policy that by the year 2045, 100% of the electricity generated in Hawai‘i should come from renewable energy resources.Approved a state law that enables Hawai‘i to join the rest of the world and abide by the Paris Climate Agreement.Reached a preliminary agreement with Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning to cool seven state office buildings and the state Capitol, which could save taxpayers more than $14 million a year.Opposes importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) as another fossil fuel source to generate electricity that would involve huge infrastructure investments and distract from the long-term focus and efforts on renewable energy.

Native Hawaiians
Governor Ige honors, respects, and promotes Native Hawaiian culture and sustainability.Respects and supports the Native Hawaiian community’s ongoing efforts for self-determination.Provided the highest level of funding to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in the state’s history -- $24 million - more than double the amount of any previous Governor.Ensured that additional CIP funds can be committed to support housing and infrastructure development for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ beneficiaries.Fought for Native Hawaiians and OHA’s co-trustee position to help manage the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Health
Governor Ige is committed to a 21st century health system that improves access, treatment, and affordability for all Hawai‘i residents.Dedicated funding and increased focus on mental health treatment so those affected, including the homeless population can achieve optimum recovery and functioning in the community.Approved state funding for Kupuna Care, aiding full-time family caregivers who also have full-time jobs to tap into community resources. AARP Hawaii called it a “major win.”Is the first in the country to raise the smoking age to 21, deterring children and young adults from a deadly habit.Secured federal funding and created a statewide initiative to involve state health, public safety and consumer protection agencies to fight opioid abuse.Implemented Hawai‘i’s first medical marijuana dispensaries statewide for qualified persons with health conditions.

Transportation
Governor Ige has deployed traffic mitigation efforts to reduce congestion on our roadways.Continues to repair our state’s infrastructure for an optimal passenger and commercial transportation system that will benefit Hawai‘i now and for our future.Partnered with the USDOT Central Federal Lands Highways Division to deliver ten bridges and other highway projects throughout the islands.Engaged with Hawaii State Historic Bridge Inventory & Evaluation to assess all 708 state and county bridges statewide for preservation values and guidance for DOT’s future project development.Supports and works with Mayor Kirk Caldwell and city leaders for the development of a multi-model and inter-model transportation network, including bus and a rail transit system.Deployed traffic mitigation initiatives to reduce congestion and is overseeing alternatives on major artery roadways.

Agriculture
Governor Ige is working to double local food production by 2020 to transform our economy and create a more sustainable Hawai‘i.Worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide loans for farmers and land for agricultural expansion.Developed water and renewable energy resources to support agricultural efforts.Established a tax credit to assist and support organic farmers.Provided $1.264 million to fund the Rapid Ohia Death fight, and sustain the Ohia tree forests that are the jewel of the Big Island.Has doubled the stateʻs land inventory by acquiring more than 2,500 acres of former pineapple and sugar plantation lands for agriculture production.

National Leader
Governor Ige fights against the unjust policies of President Trump which threaten our shared values and priorities.Initiated an early challenge to President Trump’s travel ban and stood with our Congressional delegation against discrimination policies. Hawai‘i was the first to the courthouse to stop PresidentTrump’s efforts, taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.Objected to President Trump’s discriminatory policy targeting transgender troops. Governor Ige is supported by Rep. Tammy Duckworth, a decorated veteran born and raised in Hawai‘i. Eighteen other states followed suit.Joined a coalition of 16 states to file a lawsuit to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grantees, many of whom were educated in U.S. schools and are employed by U.S. companies.Joined 17 states in suing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for rescinding the “Borrower Rule” aimed at protecting students from predatory sexual assaults.Approved a state law that enabled Hawai‘i to join the rest of the world and abide by the Paris Climate Agreement.Called attention to the continued need for Title IX programs in our public schools and college campuses, in honor of the late Rep. Patsy Mink who was the original champion of Title IX.Stands with our congressional delegation against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.Stands against proposed tax reforms that will hurt the poor and our shrinking middle class.^[14]

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